“My thoughts and prayers are with the gentleman who lost his life in a road traffic accident on the Saintfield Road, Crossgar earlier this morning. Undoubtedly, his family and friends will be suffering immeasurable grief and the local community in the greater Crossgar area will wrap them in a warm embrace and support them in whatever practical way they can,” she said.

Removal crews prepare to take the car involved in the car out of a road-side ditch

“Death is always tragic whenever it takes place, but it is more alarming, numbing and poignant when it happens abruptly as a result of an accident.”